Equality screening outcome report: Cherryvale Playing Fields works to Pitch 1

Published in July 2023

Contents

• Overview of the screening template
• Section A Details about the policy or decision to be screened
  1. 1. Title or policy or decision to be screened
  2. 2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened
  3. 3. Aims and objectives of policy or decision to be screened
  4. 4. Who will the policy or decision impact?
  5. 5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?
• Section B Information on the consultation process
  6. 6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
  7. 7. Available evidence
  8. 8. What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories?
  9. 9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people in Section 75 equality categories?
  10. 10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
  11. 11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
  12. Section C Consideration of Disability Duties
  13. 12. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity for the council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people?
  14. 13.  Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?
  15. 14.  Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities
  16. 15. Monitoring arrangements
• Section D
• Formal record of screening decision
• Screening assessment completed
• Screening decision approved
• Footnotes

Overview of screening template

The council has a statutory duty to screen. This includes our strategies, plans, policies, legislative developments; and new ways of working such as the introduction, change or end of an existing service, grant funding arrangement or facility. This screening template is designed to help departments consider the likely equality impacts of their proposed decisions on different groups of customers, service users, staff and visitors.    

Before carrying out an equality screening exercise it is important that you have received the necessary training first. To find out about the training needed or any other queries on screening, contact the Equality and Diversity Officer Lorraine Dennis on extension 6027 or by email equality@belfastcity.gov.uk

The accompanying screening guidance note provides straightforward advice on how to carry out equality screening exercises. Detailed information about the Section 75 equality duties and what they mean in practice is available on the Equality Commission’s website.^_[1]

The screening template has four sections to complete. These are:

• Section A  provides details about the policy or decision that is being screened
• Section B gives information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts on all equality groups
• Section C has four key questions in relation to obligations under the Disability Discrimination Order  
• Section D is the formal record of the screening decision

Section A

Details about the policy or decision to be screened

1. Title of policy or decision to be screened

Cherryvale Playing Fields – works to Pitch 1

2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened

(Explain if this is a new, revised or existing policy?  Are there financial, legislative or procurement implications?)

The project involves erection of ball stop nets, spectator fencing and a path around Pitch 1 at Cherryvale Playing Fields.

Pitch 1 is used daily for Gaelic football, camogie and hurling. As the pitch lies adjacent to a children’s playground, there are currently safety concerns of a ball causing serious injury to a child or member of the public using the playground or playing fields. 

 Furthermore, with unrestricted access to pitch 1, BCC has received reports in relation to uncontrolled dogs frightening users, dogs digging holes on the pitch and dog fouling.  

3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened

(What is the policy trying to achieve?)​

The project aims to:

• Increase health and safety of the area by minimising the risk of injury to children, parents, carers and the general public in the adjacent playground and playing fields
• Enhance enjoyment of sport by preventing unrestrained dogs disrupting training sessions, games and frightening users
• Improve the condition of the pitch by preventing dogs digging up the playing fields, and
• Create opportunities to improve health and wellbeing by providing an accessible 1.5m wide path to link in with the existing trim trail. The proposed path will be suitable for walkers, buggies and wheelchair users. 

4. Who will the policy or decision impact?

Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain.

5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?

Yes. The pitch is managed by City and Neighbourhood Services.

Section B

Information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts for equality and good relations

6.  Outline consultation process planned or achieved

Engagement has been undertaken internally with colleagues in City and Neighbourhood Services and Asset Management Group. There have been regular updates to members of East Area Working Group. 

An engagement event was held on Wednesday 22 February 2023 at Cherryvale Playing Fields changing rooms from 1pm to7pm.  The event was publicised by two signs at Cherryvale Playing Fields, BCC website and social media. Approximately 150 people attended the drop-in event. People requested information on the proposed works and provided verbal feedback.  A survey was also made available for attendees to provide feedback.  Approximately 112 responses were received. 

7.  Available evidence

What evidence or information (both qualitative and quantitative) have you gathered to inform this policy?  Set out all evidence to help inform your screening assessment.

It is important to record information gathered from a variety of sources such as:

• monitoring information
• complaints
• research surveys
• consultation exercises from other public authorities

Table 1 Percentages of first preference votes cast in Lisnasharragh DEA on 2 May 2019

Table 2 Councillors from political parties elected for Lisnasharragh DEA on 2  May 2019

8. What is the likely impact (indicate if the policy impact is positive or negative) on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories? What is the level of impact?

9.  Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equalities categories?

10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact (positive or negatively) on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group? What is the level of impact? 

11.  Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?  

Section C

Belfast City Council also has legislative obligations to meet under the Disability Discrimination Order. Questions 12 and 13 relate to these. Consideration of Disability Duties

12. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity for the council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people?

Explain your assessment in full

The proposed path at Cherryvale Playing Fields (pitch 1) will ensure improved accessibility for all. This will improve health and wellbeing there are opportunities for the council to better promote positive attitudes towards people with disabilities.

13. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?

Explain your assessment in full

The project at Cherryvale Playing Fields has the opportunity to create increased participation by disabled people in public life as the proposed design of the path and gates has taken into consideration the needs of people with disabilities and mobility issues. 

14. Multiple identities

Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities

No additional identities have been noted.

15. Monitoring arrangements

Section 75 places a requirement the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place:

• to assess the impact of policies and services
• to help identify barriers to fair participation
• to better promote equality of opportunity

Section 75 places a requirement for the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place in order to assess the impact of policies and services and to help identify barriers to fair participation and to better promote equality of opportunity.  

Outline what data you will collect in the future to monitor the impact of this policy or decision on equality, good relations and disability duties.

Section D

Formal record of screening decision

Title of proposed policy or decision being screened

 Cherryvale Playing Fields – works to Pitch 1

I can confirm that the proposed policy or decision has been screened for:

• equality of opportunity and good relations
• disability duties

Screening assessment completed by

Name: Briege Coyle
Date:   19 May 2023
Department: Physical Programmes Department

Screening decision approved by

Name:  Martin Doherty
Date:  3 July 2023
Department: Physical Programmes Department

Save the Word final version of the completed screening form and email to the Equality and Diversity Officer: equality@belfastcity.gov.uk  A link to this screening form will be provided to the council's Section 75 consultees.

For more information about equality screening, contact:

Lorraine Dennis 
Equality and Diversity Unit (jobshare) 
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Telephone: 028 9027 0511
Email: equality@belfastcity.gov.uk

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Footnotes

^[1] Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (link opens in new window)

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